Chapter Five Hundred And Eighty Nine – 589
Do you think it is safe? Vess asked.
I really doubt it. Felix peered into the dark hall beyond the Gloaming Gate. It was bored straight into the Kingsrock, and the thick shadows were unmarred by the inscriptions now illuminating the outside of the gate. If this was made by Nymeans then I wont be surprised by more traps.
You were welcomed. Your Authority should keep any defenses at bay, no?
Felix shrugged. Probably.
A small shape jerked at Vess shoulder, and the motion was followed by a series of rapid snorts before Yin poked his small head out of Vess cowl. He squinted into the light. This is the Kingsrock?
Good morning Yin. Yes, it is.
I approve of the decoration, he said, jerking his bearded chin toward the golden ground. The boy got us here?
He did. Vess looked at Felix, who was smiling at them both. She felt a slight flutter in her stomach, entirely unconnected to her core space. His eyes were so blue when he smiled, like something inside of him was glowing. It was quite impressive.
Yintarion squinted at her, then sniffed. I smell elementals. You fought some while I slept?
I did. I would have woken you, but
No, I required the rest. Digestion is important and taxing. Yintarion crawled out of Vess cowl completely, perching atop her silver and white pauldron. He stretched, similar to the house cats her cousins owned. What kind?
Fire and air. Earth and metal, Felix answered, now crouching near the entry way and running his hands along hexagonal tiles. They were inlaid with silver and gold, depicting interesting, swirling designs. Greater Elementals.
Oho. Yin turned on her, his golden eyes intense. I need them.
I will see what we can do. The enemies were left back in the Starfield Steps, outside this area. She didnt relish the idea of hunting those treacherous glaciers, not alone, but if Yintarion needed them to advance his Evolution, then she would not balk. I will see what we can do after we secure this place.
Ah. Yes. The Kingsrock. What of the giants? Ah. Yin angled his neck around Vess head, peering at the prone form of one giant as well as several others huddled close. They watched Felix with angry eyes, but had not made a move since he had opened the gate. Do they remain an issue?
No, Felix said. He glanced back at the giants and the gathered tribes beyond them. Not if they got the hint.
Kimaris, Battlelord Vidar, and all the giants sworn to Felix had approached, setting themselves between the tribes and the Gloaming Gate. On their heels were the Feldspear Coven and the Cold Rock Coven, jostling for positioning as before. The floating Witch, the one that had addressed Felix previously, simply watched from a distance. Vess couldnt quite make out her Spirit, but her expression was pinched as several other Witches spoke rapidly in her ear.
Impressive demonstration or not, Vess doubted their words had anything to do with acquiescing to Felixs Authority.
My Lord, Kimaris said by way of greeting. I think we should proceed within, before relationsescalate.
Probably smart. Felix straightened from his inspection and ran a hand through the air just inside the gate. I think its safe. Theres a lot of Mana moving around in there, way more than normal. Keep your heads on a swivel. Harn? Have the company bring up the rear.
Aye.
The Claw marched closer, hands near their weapons but nothing drawn. They came up behind the allied giants, adding a second barrier between Felix and the gathered tribes. Vess lost sight of the floating Witch and her attendants completely.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.
Vess. Evie. Beef. Walk with me.
She followed Felix, the otherswith the Chanters trailing behindjust after.
Felix stepped into the corridor. It was warm inside and smelled of damp minerals, not sulfur but almost salty. The ornate tiles beneath his boots didnt fall apart or light up with sigils, and the towering walls were carved into thin, rectangular panels that framed sweeping pastoral vistas. Someone with a great deal of talent had faithfully recreated the barren expanse of snowy tundra and the looming northern mountains, and in much the same way as the Shadowgates and other Nymean ruins, colors were denoted by different types of ore and stone. The ceiling was too high to see normally, hazed by a veil of shadow and some sort of thick Mana. That was what Felix had been really concerned with during his investigationbut it remained suspended, doing who knew what, but at least not actively harming him.
The way seems clear. Everyone Felix drew a quick breath in surprise as he turned around. All of his friends and allies had fallen to their faces, their necks corded and limbs jerking spasmodically as they tried and failed to regain their feet.
Wecant move! Evie gasped.
Vess was on her side, right arm splayed outward and quivering. She lost the battle and slammed chest-first to the tiles. Nnf, Yin? Can you?
Is this truly where the High Chieftain resided? she asked.
I really hope so, Felix answered. Because otherwise he had wasted his time finding the place. Do your legends tell where to go from here?
Only that the High Chieftain ruled from on high, over all he could survey.
Felix looked up the nearest staircase. Right. That makes sense. Were going up, people!
They followed the stairs, ascending to the loft a single story above. There the rooms were just as grand, built for dimensions far exceeding Felixs own. Doorways and halls proved no issue to the giantfolk that followed him, and more than once he heard a soft exclamation of delight at the novelty.
Most of the chambers were empty of furnishings and finery, as if everything that wasnt bolted down had been taken long ago. There wasnt even any dust, though Felix was sure no one had stolen it. Something about the abundant enchantments around them kept surfaces clean and tidy, and even the snow and dirt from their boots dissolved in their wake.
The halls soon grew too numerous to count. Archways led from room to room, their denuded nature offering little to differentiate between them. Where they saw stairs, they ascended them. Dead ends abounded, however, forcing them to double back often, even retreating back down staircases before hunting for another. Their steps were a sharp staccato scale, ascending. Descending. Moving and yet monotonous.
Frustration grew among their company, and even Felix was getting annoyed. Every path felt like it would lead them to the top, but inevitably there was another level above even that. Eventually the rooms began to have new details, mostly sculpture, but that was a whole other problem entirely. They varied from reliefs like the entryway to busts and even depictions of complete creatures. However Felix was disgusted to find most defaced in some way. The reliefs were gouged and scratched, empty holes denoting where precious gems once resided. The busts were cracked and sagging, the full creatures missing limbs and eyes and teeth, the metal or stone melted by some terrible flame until they were unrecognizable.
Someone had ransacked the place.
This is blasphemy, Sitri said in a thin, wavering voice. The relics of our people. This was a majestic Therium. Now it is scrap.
This place was sealed. Who could have done this? Vess asked. Her outrage danced across Felixs skin.
Dwarves, Naberius said, and the word dropped with disdain. A faint note sounded, far off. Angry glances were shot toward Tzfell, but the Chanter ignored them.
A bold claim, Laur said. Tzfell said nothing.
Not so bold as her kind. Only the Dwarves have dared to steal our heritage. Only the Dwarves have waged war on us for an Age!
A war started by the giants, Tzfell finally said, voice rising. A faint hum threaded through her words, as if her magic was only syllables away. You have raided our towns for far longer!
Thieves and invaders!
Savage monsters!
Enough, Felix said, leveling a glare at everyone. It wasnt enough. The swell of music crescendoed, a burgeoning riot that tugged at his heart. Insistent. Cajoling.
Naberius and some other Witches reached toward Tzfell, magics curling across their fingers. Tzfell hummed, her shoulders blooming with loops of strange geometries. The song shouted, it roared. The melody was violence.
Felix shuddered at the touch of it. Refused it. He drew his hooked blade. It blazed, bronze light burning like the sun in his grasp before dimming, leaving only a sharp, dissonant screech. The keening sound startled them all, Chanter and giant both, and the song that had pressed at them vanished into nonsensical chords.
This isnt helping anything, he spat through bared teeth. Listen! The Kingsrock is manipulating us.
The Dwarves!
Its a trap! Cant you hear it? God! Felix shook, shoulders bucking as if throwing off a thick, stifling blanket. You can tear each other apart later! On your own terms. There was a tugging from his sword, and Felix trailed off, focusing on the blade. Huh.
What is it? Vess asked, voice hoarse. He didnt recall her shouting.
The sword wants us to go this way.
Evie held the bridge of her nose while leaning against Beef for support. It aint been wrong yet, right?
Pit followed the path of the twitching blade. He let out a confused trill. Thats a wall.
Not for long, Beef declaredbefore charging into it head-first.
